SITE PLAN IN FOR FORMER AX FACTORY

KATRIN SCHEIB; Courant Staff WriterTHE HARTFORD COURANT

The town's zoning commission has received the site plan for the first part of the @Collinsville project.

It lays out developer James Tilney's plans for the first phase of renovations on the former Collins Axe Factory grounds. A group of five buildings will be dealt with first. Located on the corner of Bridge and Main streets, they are at the northern end of the 19-acre site.

"You will not be seeing many changes to the exterior of the buildings," Tilney said Tuesday. Instead, a number of interior walls will be taken out, changing the layout of the different rooms.

The main office building used to be the factory's packing shop. It has hallways running from one end to the other, leaving only room for small offices on either side. The plan suggests adding an outside walkway, which would allow workers to enter their offices from there. This means the offices could stretch all the way to the other side of the building.

"We are trying to give space to rent to tenants rather than give it to hallways," Tilney said.

Collinsville Antiques Co. will stay in the factory's former shipping building. But instead of occupying two floors of the entire building, it will move to three floors in one half. "This makes room for additional retail," Tilney said, "retail that faces the town." Shoppers will find paved parking outside the Historic Museum.

With 48,000 square feet available, retail and office space together account for about 20,000 square feet. The remainder will house a restaurant and some light industry. The site plan also outlines a patio that will be added to the restaurant for outdoor seating.

Town Planner Eric Barz said the site plan will now be reviewed by a number of town officials.

"The fire marshal, the town engineer and several others will be involved for various concerns," Barz said.

Parking, sewage and landscaping are some of the issues that will be discussed.

Once a plan is received by the zoning commission, it has 56 days to render a decision. If things go smoothly, the plan could get the commission's approval at its September meeting, Barz said.

CORRECTION PUBLISHED 8/23/02.The site plan for the first phase of the @Collinsville project includes about 20,000 square feet each for retail and office space. A story on Page B3 Thursday incorrectly said the plan includes 20,000 square feet for retail and office space combined.

CORRECTION PUBLISHED 8/23/02.The site plan for the first phase of the @Collinsville project includes about 20,000 square feet each for retail and office space. A story on Page B3 Thursday incorrectly said the plan includes 20,000 square feet for retail and office space combined.